European Union foreign ministers recently gathered in Brussels, but they failed to reach a consensus on suspending political dialogue with Israel. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski shared this update following the discussions.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s departing foreign policy chief, urged his fellow ministers to evaluate whether Israel has violated the human rights stipulations contained in the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This subject has gained importance against the backdrop of ongoing violence.
In remarks to the press post-meeting, Sikorski remarked, “We are acutely aware of the heart-wrenching situation in Gaza, marked by devastating civilian losses. However, we must not overlook who ignited this current wave of violence.” He confirmed that “there was no agreement on the proposal to suspend negotiations with Israel.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris emphasized the urgency of sending a “clear message” to end this ongoing conflict. He lamented, saying, “The egregious human rights violations unfolding in Gaza, alongside the catastrophic loss of lives, is beyond unacceptable.” Harris has continuously advocated for a substantial interpretation of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, seizing every opportunity to press this issue.
“We must unequivocally convey that the conflict needs to cease, and the slaughter of innocents can’t continue.” His call reflects a growing sentiment among EU member states advocating for a re-evaluation of relations with Israel.
In his closing session as foreign policy chief, Mr. Borrell indicated he would urge the ministers to explore strategies that ensure Israel adheres to the human rights guidelines detailed in Article 2 of the Association Agreement. He plans to emphasize the necessity for the EU to align itself with a recent advisory judgment from the International Court of Justice, which ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal.
Both Ireland and Spain have long pressed for the EU to scrutinize whether Israel is indeed breaching Article 2, which mandates both parties to respect essential human rights, particularly in light of the ongoing military operations in Gaza. However, the European Commission has yet to assess Israel’s compliance due to differing opinions among member nations.
Countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have opposed any efforts to implement trade sanctions on Israel through the Article 2 framework or to initiate inquiries into any potential violations.
After Ireland and Spain’s initiative earlier this year, efforts have been made to foster dialogue between both entities via the EU-Israel Association Council. Yet, tensions still linger over the meeting’s agenda and venue.
Borrell noted that Israel was open to meeting with the Association Council before Hungary’s presidency of the EU concludes on December 31. In his discussions, he said, “I’ll be proposing a thorough examination of what decisions could be made regarding compliance with the EU-Israel Association Council, particularly from a human rights standpoint. We’ll also look at what actions can be taken to ensure we do not engage in trade with products manufactured in occupied territories, in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s determinations.”
He added, “There are simply no more words to convey the tragic events occurring in Gaza.” Borrell cited figures shared by UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, revealing that over 44,000 lives have been lost since Israel began its offensive after the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250 hostages.
Disturbingly, he reported that a staggering 70% of those killed in Gaza are women and children, with the highest number of casualties being young children under nine years of age.
Despite these sobering statistics, EU diplomats expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Borrell’s proposal to address the EU-Israel Association Agreement garnering the necessary support in the meeting. One diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, described the proposal as “seemingly designed to fail” and labeled it “ill-prepared.”
As the EU navigates these treacherous waters, the ongoing conflict in Gaza poses both moral and political challenges for its leaders.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
